Research article

Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients in Zimbabwe

Nyasha Chin'ombe^1,2* , Evans Chavhunduka^2,3* and Hilda T Matarira^2,4

¹  University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Division of Medical Virology, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa

²  University of Zimbabwe, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Chemical Pathology, PO Box A178 Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe

³  University of Zimbabwe, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, PO Box MP167 Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

⁴  Great Zimbabwe University, Box 1460, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Infectious Agents and Cancer 2009, 4:15doi:10.1186/1750-9378-4-15

Published:	8 October 2009

Abstract

Background

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) is one of the most common cancers in Zimbabwe. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are suspected to play a major role in causing this cancer. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in PHC at Parirenyatwa Referral Hospital in Zimbabwe. We evaluated the serological markers of the two viruses in patients with PHC using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent kits.

Results

Out of the 60 patients with PHC, 48.3% were seropositive for HBV and 20.0% were seropositive for HCV. Co-infection by HCV and HBV was found in 8% of the patients. Only 13.3% of the health controls (blood donors) were positive for HBV. All the controls were negative for HCV.

Conclusion

The high seropositivity of HBV and HCV in PHC in Zimbabwe suggested that the two viruses were a major cause of the cancer.